Concerns over an escalation of human rights abuses are growing as the National Police decided to use the antiterrorism law to deal with armed groups in the resource-rich province of Papua.

On Wednesday, National Police Criminal Investigation Division (Bareskrim) chief Comr. Gen. Sutarman said the police would use Antiterrorism Law No.15/2003 to deal with individuals or groups terrorizing people in Papua, including those attacking police stations.

“Armed individuals and groups have brought anxiety and terror into society. We won’t hesitate to use the law on those who kill innocent civilians,” Sutarman said in response to journalists’ queries on rising violence in the province.

The decision to use the law has nothing to do with the burgeoning separatist movement, according to Sutarman.

The decision by the National Police promptly raised criticism from hu...